Google’s Chrome-OS laptops are a real threat to Microsoft’s main business – Windows-based devices. Google’s endeavour was initially regarded with criticism, but it seems that more and more users like the concept, especially those on the go, but even classrooms and businesses. Microsoft and its partners look to counterattack Google’s Chromebook devices with cheap Windows 8.1 tablets, and laptops. One of the newest ones is Acer’s Aspire E11 laptop which comes with solid state storage instead of a mechanical hard drive.

The previous Acer Aspire E11 retailed for under $250, but the newer version is lowering the price even further, probably thanks to the fact that it is running the free Windows 8.1 with Bing version. The new Acer Aspire E11, (exact model number – ES1-111M-C40S) is equipped with an 11.6-inch display with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. There’s an Intel Celeron N2840 Bay-Trail dual-core processor along with 2GB of RAM powering the whole shebang.

The original Aspire E11 featured a Celeron N2830/Pentium N3530 processor along with 320GB or 500GB HDD. The new version is cheaper and comes with a 32GB SSD, but also sports a faster processor. The laptop also has a USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet and an SD card reader.

The fanless lappy’s battery comes with up to 5 hours of battery life, which is just what you’d expect judging by its price. It’s nice that at least the RAM is upgradable, but the storage is not.

32GB of internal storage is really not enough, and I don’t understand why Microsoft didn’t offer a few more free GB of storage. But it’s really hard to say whether this new Windows laptop from Acer comes with the right specs to change consumers’ mind away from a Chromebook. What do you think?